Well bore packer



Dee.y 3, 1968 J4. F. DE RocHEMoN-r 3,414,058

WELL BORE PACKER 7' Tak/VEY.

Dec. 3, 1968 J. F. DE RocHEMoNT 3,414,053

WELL BORE PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 18, 1965 Dec. 3, 1968 J. F. DE RocHEMoNT 3,414,058

WELL BORE PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 E0. 52s.

.7m/Euro2. Jag/v 17./ DEBoc/EMo/vr 5M/MJ Dec. 3, 1968 Filed May 18, 1965 J. F. DE Roem-:MONT

WELL BORE PACKER 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 rH/v Ff DE BOCHEMoA/r rroe/VEY.

.fm/Euro2.

United States Pateut O 3,414,058 WELL BORE PACKER John F. de Rochemont, La Habra, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., City of Commerce, Calif., a corporation of California Filed May 18, 1965, Ser. No. 456,657 Z Claims. (Cl. 166-120) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A hydraulically set well packer, in which differential area piston means are employed to set the packer in a well without regard to the hydrostatic column of iluid naturally standing in the well.

The present invention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more particularly to packers or anchors adapted to be lowered and set in well casings and similar conduit strings disposed in well bores.

Single string and parallel string well packers, and similar tools, of the retrievable type have been run in well casings located in well bores and have been set therein by hydraulic pressure. Hydraulic pressure in the form of the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore has been used since it oifers the advantage of maintaining the tool set in the well bore in the absence of external fluid pressure or other force applied from the top of the well bore. However, prior tools set by the hydrostatic head of tiuid have been relatively complex, caused to some extent by the necessity of preventing exposure of certain portions of the tool to such head of fluid prior to setting of the tool and the need for equalizing the hydrostatic pressure in the tool when its release and retrieval is desired. In addition, if the well pressure were to become depleted, the tool could no longer be maintained in its set condition in the absence of some externally applied force, such as set down weight on a tubing string attached toy the tool and extending to the top of the well bore.

It it an object of the present invention to provide a hydrostatically set well packer, and the like, in which the hydraulically actuated portions of the tool are exposed to the well bore fluid during running of the tool in the well bo-re and prior to its setting therein, thereby reducing the number of parts in the tool and simplifying its operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a well packer,"r and the like, adapted to be set hydraulically in a well hre, in which it is unnecessary to equalize pressure Iin the tool in effecting its release in the well bore.

A further object of the invention is to provide a well packer of the hydrostatically set type, in which the possibility of inadvertent setting of the tool while it is being run in a well bore is greatly minimized and, in fact, virtually eliminated.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a retrievable well packer, and the like, capable of being set hydraulically in the well bore and which remains in its set condition despite substantial decrease or depletion of the hydraulic pressure acting on the tool, which decrease or depletion may even proceed to a zero pressure value.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a retrievable well packer, and the like, capable of being set in a well bore and locked in its set condition against undesired release, and in which release is easily eifected whenever required.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specitication. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best dened by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a side elevational View of a well packer embodying the invention disposed in a well casing and with its parts in their initial retracted conditions;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken along the line 3-3 on FIG. l;

FIGS. 4a and 4b together constitute a vertical section through the well packer, with its parts in the-ir initial condition for lowering the well packer in. a well casing, FIG. 4b being a lower continuation of FIG. 4a;

FIGS. 5a and 5b together constitute a vertical section through the well packer apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b after the well packer has been anchored in packed-oli cond-ition in the well casing, FIG. 5b being a lower continuation of FIG. 5a;

FIGS. 6a and 6b are views corresponding to FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrating the well packer after it has been released from its set condition in the well casing, FIG. 6b being a lower continuation of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the hydraulically actuatable portion of the apparatus taken along the line 8-8 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along the line 9 9 on FIG, 8;

FIG. l0 is a View vSimilar to FIG. 8 illustrating the hydraulic actuating portion of the apparatus when the tool has been anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing;

FIG. ll is a view similar to FIGS. 8l and 10 illustrating the hydraulic actuatable portion of the apparatus following release of the tool from the well casing.

The apparatus A illustrated in the drawings is a well packer of the retrievable type which is capable of being lowered in a well casing B disposed in a well bore and anchored in packed-oit condition therein. The tool A is lowered on a lirst or long tubular string C extending to the top of the well bore, and, after its setting location has been reached in the well casing, a second or short tubular string D is lowered in the well casing and is suitably connected to the well packer. Thereafter, the packer is anchored in packed-off condition in the well casing and lluid in the well casing from a lower producing Zone (not shown) can pass upwardly through a first tubular body 10 forming part of the well packer to the first tubular string C and to the top of the well bore, and from an upper producing zone (not shown) through a second tubular body 11 which communicates with the second tubular string D extending to the top of the well bore.

The specific well packer illustrated in the drawings includes an upper receptacle, head or body 12 having first and second passages 13, 14 therethrough, the first passage receiving the rst tubular body 10, and the second passage 14 being adapted to receive the lower end of the second tubular string D that will extend to the top of the well bore. The second tubular body 11, which is parallel to the first tubular body 10, has its upper end threadedly secured to the receptacle 12 and has a passage 1411 that forms a continuation of the second passage 14 of the receptacle. As described hereinbelow, the receptacle or body 12 and the second tubular body 11 are movable downwardly as a unit relative to the first tubular body in setting the well packer A in the well casing B.

The first tubular body 10 carries a coupling ring 15, such as a C-ring, in a peripheral groove 16 which is disposed initially at the lower portion of the receptacle, and which is slidable in an enlarged diameter portion or counterbore 17 of the receptacle that terminates in an upper shoulder 18 adapted to be engaged by the C-ring 15. A seal ring 19 is disposed in a groove 20` in the receptacle and around the rst tubular body 10, being in sealing engagement therewith and disposed initially immediately above the C-ring 15. This seal ring will prevent uid from passing downwardly from the counterbore 17 4surrounding the first tubular body 10. Thus, grease can be pumped through a hole 21 in the receptacle into the counterbore immediately above the seal ring 19 and such grease will pass upwardly to the receptacle shoulder 18. Following filling of the counterbore space with grease, or the lie, the filler hole 21 may be closed by a suitable threaded plug 22.

The first and second tubular bodies 10, 11 extend slida-bly downwardly through a packing assembly or structure 23 and through an expander 24 therebelow. The first tubular body 10 passes downwardly through a passage 25 in a slip ring 26 below the expander, and through a longitudinal passage 27 in a hydraulic housing 28 to a location therebelow, where a suitable sub 29 may be attached to the lower end of the first tubular body to threadedly receive a required length of tubing (not shown) that can extend downwardly into sealing relation with a lower packer (not shown). The second tubular body 11 also extends downwardly through the slip ring 26 and into a longitudinal passage 30 in the hydraulic housing, there being a suitable side seal ring 31 in the upper portion of the housing sealingly engaging the periphery of the second tubular body.

The packing assembly or structure 23 includes an upper connector 32 through which the first and second tubular bodies 10, 11 pass, which is engaged by the lower end of the receptacle 12 and also by the lower end of the C-ring 15. The tubular bodies also pass through an upper insert 33 clamped upwardly against the upper connector by an upper gauge ring 34 threaded to the connector 32 and contacting an external ange 35 of the insert. This insert 33 also engages a split coupling ring 36 mounted in a peripheral groove 37 in the second body member 11 and disposed within a counterbore 38 in the upper connector. The packing assembly 23 also includes upper, lower, and intermediate packing elements 39 made of a suitable elastomeric material, such as natural or synthetic rubber, separated by metallic spacer rings 40. The upper packing element 39 is engageable by the upper gauge ring 34 and upper insert 33; whereas, the lower packing element 39 is engageable by a lower insert 41 clamped to the upper end of the expander 24 by a lower gauge ring 42 threaded on the latter and the upper end of which also engages the lower packing element 39. The tubular bodies 10, 11 extend through the packing elements 39, spacer rings 40, lower insert 41, and through passages 43, 44 in the expander 24. The second tubular body 11 has a split coupling ring 45 mounted in a peripheral groove 46 which is engageable with the lower end of the lower insert 41, but which is slidable within a counterbore 47 formed in the expander.

The slip ring 26 has a plurality of circumferentially spaced T-shaped slots 48 in its upper portion in which T-shaped heads 49 of slips 50 are slidable radially into and out of engagement with the wall of the well casing B. These slips have wickers or teeth 51 facing in a downward direction so as to anchor the well packer against downward movement therewithin. These slips extend into circumferentially spaced grooves 52 in the expander, each grove having a base portion .55 .tapering in a down- 4 ward and inward direction and engaging a companion inner tapered surface 54 on the slip, such that relative downward movement of the expander 24 with respect to the slips expands the latter outwardly. On the other hand, relative upward movement of the expander with respect to the slips will retract the latter by virtue of side tongues 55 on the slips being received within companion grooves 56 in the expander. Movement of the slip ring 26 toward the expander 24 and the extent of outward expansion of the slips 50 is limited by engagement of a limit sleeve 57 surrounding the first tubular body 10 and resting upon the slip ring with the lower end of the expander 24. However, in the normal use of the apparatus, the limit sleeve 57 will not engage the lower end of the expander 24.

The packing structure 23 and slips 50 are expanded as a result of downward movement of the second tubular body 11 and upper connector 32 relative to the first tubular body 10, and as a result of upward movement of the slip ring 26 and slips 50 relative to the expander 24. A hydraulically actuatable mechanism disposed primarily in the hydraulic housing 28 can effect such relative movement. This hydraulic mechanism includes the hydraulic housing 28 into which the tubular bodies 10, 11 extend. The upper end of this housing is connected to a ratchet sleeve 58 surrounding the second tubular body 11. The lower circumferentially continuous portion 59 of the sleeve has a split ring 60 mounted in its peripheral groove 61 and disposed in a counterbore 62 in the hydraulic housing, the ring being clamped in the counterbore by an upper retainer 63 secured to the upper end of the housing 28 by a coupling ring 64 overlying a retainer flange 65 and threadedly secured to the hydraulic housing. The ratchet sleeve 58 is secured initially to the second tubular body 10 by external tapered teeth 66 on the tubular body meshing with internal companion tapered teeth 67 formed on dogs 68 provided on the intermediate portion of flexible ratchet sleeve larms 69 formed by circumferentially spaced slots 70 in the sleeve extending between its lower circumferentially continuous portion 59 and its upper circumferentially continuous portion 71.

The external and internal teeth 66, 67 are maintained in full mesh with one another by a ratchet sleeve retainer 72 through which the first tubular body 10 extends, and which has a bore 73 through which the second tubular body 11 and ratchet sleeve arms 69 extend, the outwardly directed projections 74 of the dogs initially engaging the wall 75 of the bore to hold their internal teeth 67 in mesh with the external teeth 66 of the tubular body 11. Initially, the ratchet sleeve retainer 72 is releasably secured to the upper retainer 63, attached to the hydraulic housing 28, by one or more shear screws 76. It will be apparent that downward movement of the hydraulic housing 28 will exert a downward pull on the ratchet sleeve 58, and because of the interengaging tapered teeth 66, 67, the second tubular body 11 will also be moved downwardly. It is only after the ratchet sleeve retainer 72 has been removed from encompassing relation with respect to the dogs 68 that the second tubular body 11 can be released from the ratchet sleeve 58 by camming the dog teeth 67 out of mesh with the body teeth 66.

The ratchet sleeve 58 extends upwardly through a retainer ring 77 through which the first and second body members 10, 11 also extend, this retainer ring being initially releasably secured to the slip ring 26 by one or more shear screws 78. The upper portion of the ratchet sleeve has a plurality of ratchet teeth 79 extending longitudinally along its length which face in an Iupward direction and which are engageable with internal ratchet teeth 80 facing in a downward direction and formed on a split lock ring 81 mounted within the slip ring 26. This lock ring has external cam teeth 82 adapted to coact with internal cam teeth 83 in the slip ring, there being sufficient lateral clearance as to permit the split lock ring 81 to expand outwardly and permit the ratchet sleeve 58 to move downwardly with respect to the slip ring 26, but in which any tendency of the ratchet sleeve 58 to move upwardly within the slip ring will cause the cam teeth 82, 83 to coact and shift and hold the ratchet teeth 79, coengaged. Thus, a one-way clutching arrangement is provided which will permit relative downward movement of the ratchet sleeve 58 within the slip ring 26, but which will prevent its relative movement ina reverse or upward direction.

For the purpose of preventing premature setting of the tool A in the well casing B, the tubular body members 10, 11 are locked together initially to preclude their relative longitudinal movement. As disclosed, the upper circumferentially continuous portion 71 of the ratchet sleeve 58 has a peripheral groove 84 therein in which a split lock ring 85 is received initially, this lock ring initially being confined between a downwardly facing shoulder 86 on the sli-p ring 26 and by the upper end of the retainer ring 77 to which the slip ring 26 is secured releasably by the shear screws 78. This split lock ring 85 has inner beveled corners for coaction with companion beveled sides of the groove 84 to insure subsequent outward expansion of the ring from the groove.

The lower end of the retainer ring bears upon a support ring 88 surrounding the first tubular body member 10, which, in turn, bears upon a split lock ring 89 disposed in a peripheral groove 90 in the first tubular body member, this lock ring being disposed within a counterbore 91 in the ratchet sleeve retainer 72. The inner corners of this lock ring 89 are also beveled and coact with companion tapered or beveled sides of the lock ring groove 90 to insure outward expansion of the lock ring after the setting location of the well tool in the casing has been reached.

From the foregoing relationship of parts, it is apparent that any tendency for the receptacle 12 and the second tubular body 11 to move downwardly relative to the first body 10 is prevented since such downward force or thrust is transmitted from the second body 11 through the teeth 66, 67 to the ratchet sleeve 58 and from the latter through the upper split lock ring 85 to the retainer ring 77, and from the latter through the support ring 88 to the lock ring 89 which is confined in the first body groove 90 by the encompassing counterbore 91 in the ratchet sleeve container 72. Similarly, any tendency of the first body member 10 to move upwardly relative to the second body member 11 is prevented by this thrust being transmitted to the second tubular body in a reverse direction, that is, through the lower lock ring 89, support ring 88, retainer ring 77, ratchet sleeve 58, coengaging tapered teeth 66, 67 to the second tubular body 11.

After the well packer A has been anchored in packedoff condition in the well casing, and if it is desired to release it and retrieve it therefrom, it is necessary to first disrupt or release a shear ring 92 that releasably secures the first tubular body 10 to the retainer ring 77. This shear ring surrounds the first body and has an inwardly directed flange 93 received within a peripheral groove 94 in the first body 10. It may be made in two halves, its flange 93 being held in the groove by an encompassing sleeve 95 mounted within a counterbore 96 in the retainer ring 77, this sleeve having an upper inwardly directed flange 97 overlying the shear ring 92. Mounted in the counterbore above the sleeve 95 is a rubber shock absorber 98, the upper end of which engages the upper base portion of the counterbore 96.

The well packer A is set in the well casing B by the hydrostatic head of fluid therewithin. As shown, the hydraulic housing 28 has a plurality, such as a pair, of longitudinal cylinders 100 therein offset from the housing passages 27, 30 receiving the first and second body members 10, 11 (FIGS. 8 to 1l). The lower ends of these cylindrical bores are closed by lower cylinder heads 101 clamped against the lower end of the hydraulic housing by a lower retainer 102 and by a coupling ring 103 threaded on the lower portion of the housing and engaging an external retainer flange 104. The first tubular body 10 extends through the lower retainer 102, which is also true of a lower nipple 105 extending upwardly into the second passage 30 of the hydraulic housing and secured thereto by a split ring 106 received within a nipple groove 107 and clamped between the lower end of the housing 28 and the lower retainer 102. The lower cylinder heads 101 are held in position in the housing by the lower retainer 102 bearing thereagainst and forcing lower cylinder head flanges 108 against the lower end of the hydraulic housing.

The upper ends of the cylinders 100 are closed by upper cylinder heads 109 extending thereinto, these upper heads being held in position by the upper retainer 63 that bears against the upper ends of the heads and presses their external flanges 110 against the upper end ofthe hydraulic housing 28.

Fluid under pressure can enter the lower ends of the cylinders through the second passage 30 of the hydraulic housing, such fluid flowing through ports or lateral passages 111 opening into the housing andl into circumferential grooves 112 surrounding the lower cylinder heads, each of these grooves being disposed in transverse alignment with an external groove 113 of the head 101 which has a plurality of ports 114 opening into a central relatively small diameter passage 115 in the cylinder head, in which the lower or small piston portion 116 of a piston 117 is disposed. This small piston is secured to or is integral with a large piston portion 118 slidable in the cylinder 100 above the head 101. The piston 117 is threadedly or otherwise suitably secured to a piston rod 119 extending upwardly through the cylinder and through an upper cylinder head 109, the rod also extending slidably through the upper housing retainer 63, the ratchet sleeve retainer 72 and the retainer ring 77. Initially, the upper ends of the piston rods 119 terminate below the lower end of the slip ring 26, which is adapted to be engaged by the piston rods when the well packer is to be set in the well casing.

The pistons 117 and rod structures 119 are retained in their lower position within the hydraulic housing 28 by one or more shear screws 120 in each lower cylinder head 101 received within a groove 121 in the smaller diameter piston portion 116. Each small piston has a diameter equal to the diameter of the piston rod 119 so that the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore will act initially in an upward direction over the area of the small piston 116 and in a downward direction over the equal area of the piston rod 119, and will not, therefore, tend to shift the piston 117 upwardly within its cylinder 100. It is only after the small piston 116 has been shifted upwardly out of the small diameter cylindrical bore 115 in its companion lower cylinder head 101 that the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore can act over the entire cross-sectional area of the pistons 117 and exert a hydraulic setting force on the apparatus A.

Each cylinder on the lo'w pressure side 123 of the piston 117 initially contains air at atmospheric pressure, the well bore fluid being prevented from passing into this low pressure side. Thus, the large piston 118 has a seal ring 124 thereon slidably and sealingly engaging the wall of the cylinder bore 100; whereas, each upper head 109 has a rod packing or seal 125 thereon slidably and sealingly engaging the piston rod 119. The small piston 116 carries a piston ring 126 thereon sealingly engaging the wall of the small diameter bore 115 of the lower cylinder head. Leakage of uid between the housing 28 and upper cylinder head 109 is prevented by a seal ring 127 on each head engaging the wall of the cylinder 100. Leakage of fluid between the lower cylinder head 101 and housing is prevented by upper and lower seal rings 128, 129 on each head on opposite sides of its ports 114 sealingly engaging the cylinder wall. p

The apparatus can be set hydraulically as a result of shifting the small pistons 116 out of their small bores 115 so that the fluid in the well bore can enter the large diameter portions of each cylinder for action upon the full area of each piston 117. Initially, there is sufficient distance or space between the upper end of each piston rod 119 and the lower end of the slip ring 26 to allow the piston 117 to move upwardly in the cylinder and allow the uid on the high pressure side of the piston to act over the area of the large and small pistons 116, 118. Such upward movement of the pistons can occur as a result of shearing the screws 120 which require a predetermined hydraulic pressure acting over the area of the small piston 116 to effect their disruption. As disclosed in the drawings, the pressure for shearing the screws, and thereby effecting hydraulic setting of the well packer, is derived from the second tubular string D and the second housing passage 30. In connection with the ability to build up pressure in the second housing passage, an upper sub is threadedly secured to the lower end of the nipple 105, this upper sub having a lower sub 136 threadedly attached thereto. A ball seat 137 and shearing ring 138 are mounted within these subs, the seat resting upon the ring which is releasably secured to the lower sub 136 by a plurality of shear screws 139. The seat has circumferentially spaced slots 140 providing upwardly extending spring arms 141 terminating in fingers 142 which engage a restricted bore 143 in the upper sub to hold the fingers and a rubber seal portion 144 thereon in an inward position, partially restricting the passage across the nipple 105 and the passage through the subs 135, 136.

When a ball 145, or other suitable tripping element, is lowered down through the second tubular string D, second body 11, housing passage 30 and nipple 105, it will come to rest upon the rubber seal portion 144 of the inwardly directed fingers 142, closing the passage against downward flow of fluid and allowing pressure to be built up in the fluid in the second tubing string D, second tubular body 11, and passage 30 which will pass outwardly through the lateral passages 111 into the lower cylinder heads 101 and act upwardly on the small pistons 116 to shear the screws 120 and move the small pistons upwardly out of sealing relation to the small cylinder bores 115. A further increase in the fluid pressure will shear the screws 139 retaining the ring 138 to the lower sub 136, the ball seat 137 and ring then shifting downwardly until the ring engages a sub shoulder at which time the fingers 142 are opposite a groove 151 in the upper sub 135, allowing the arms 11 and fingers 142 to spring outwardly and increase the effective diameter of the fingers to an extent at which the trip ball 145 can drop through the ball seat 137 and the lower sub 136 into the well bore.

Following upward shifting of the small pistons 116 from their restricted bores 115, the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore can act upwardly over the full crosssectional area of the pistons 117 to shift them upwardly in the housing 28, and to reactively move the hydraulic housing 28 downwardly. It is such relative upward and downward movement that effects anchoring of the well packer A in packed-off condition in the well casing Initially, the well packer A has its parts occupying the relative positions illustrated in FIGS. 4a and 4b, in which the slips 50 and packing assembly 23 are retracted. Grease can be forced into the counterbore space 17 through the filler hole 21 and such hole then closed by the plug 22, the seal ring 19 preventing the grease from moving downwardly past the C-ring 15. Similarly, the grease can be placed within a counterbore in the housing surrounding the first tubular body member 10, there being a split pick-up ring 161 slidably mounted in this counterbore and having an inwardly directed ange 162 disposed within the groove 163 in the first body member 10. The lower inner corner 164 of the ring is tapered for coaction with a companion taper in the lower side of the groove 163 to insure outward expansion of the ring from the groove, as described hereinbelow. Grease forced into the counterbore 160 is prevented from dropping downwardly therefrom by a suitable seal ring 165 mounted in the housing 28 and sealing against the periphery of the first tubular body 10 below the base of the counterbore.

Ordinarily, the well packer illustrated is used in connection with a lower packer (not shown) connected to it or which may have been set previously in the well casing B at a desired location. The rst body member 10 may have a suitable length of tubing (not shown) connected to its lower sub 29 for coaction with such lower packer. The upper end of the first body member 10 is connected to the lower end of the first tubing string C, as through an intervening coupling 167, and the well packer is lowered in the well casing to the required setting point therewithin. The well casing is usually filled with fluid, and as the well packer moves downwardly within the fluid, the hydrostatic head of the latter acting on the packer increases, such hydrostatic head being free to pass through the lateral passages 111 and ports 114 into the small diameter portions 115 of the cylinder heads 101. However, such hydrostatic head of uid can have no effect in setting the well packer at this time since it is acting over equal and opposite areas of the piston structure, that is, upwardly over the area of each small piston 116 and downwardly over the equal area of its associated piston rod 119. The shear screws 120 prevent inadvertent upward shifting of the piston 117 within the cylinder which may be caused by pressure surges in the well casing B, resulting, for example, from the sudden dropping or stopping of the well packer A in the well casing as it is being run therein.

After the setting location has been reached, the second tubing string D is lowered in the well casing, engaging an inclined guide surface on the head 12 which will shift it toward the passage 14. This second tubing string may have a lower latch device thereon and a seal portion 181 which can enter the second passage 14 of the receptacle. In connection with such entry, the latch mechanism 180 may snap through a shoulder 182 in the receptacle to prevent inadvertent upward removal of the second tubing string D from the receptacle and the seal ring or sleeve 181 will seal against the wall of the second passage 14.

Following the lowering and `connection of the second tubing string D to the Well packer A, the tripping ball 145 can be dropped or pumped down through the second tubing string, such tripping ball moving downwardly through the second body 11, second housing passage 30, and nipple 105 into engagement with the upper end of the trip ball seat 137. Fluid pressure in the second tubing string, second body passage and nipple can then be increased to a sufficient value to shear the screws 120 securing the small pistons 116 to the cylinder heads 101, which shearing pressure is substantially below the pressure required to shear the screws 139 releaseably securing the ball seat ring 138 to the lower sub 136. The pressure will not only shear the screws 120 but will shift the pistons 117 and rods 119 upwardly until the upper ends of the piston rods engage the lower end of the slip ring 26. At this time, the small pistons 116 would have been elevated from their confining cylinders 115, allowing the fluid pressure and the hydrostatic head in the well bore to act in an upward direction over the full area of the pistons 117. If desired at this time, the fluid pressure can be increased to shear the screws 139 and move the trip ball seat 137 and ring 138 downwardly to a point at which the fingers 142 expand outwardly into the groove 151, allowing the ball 145 to drop through the members 137, 138 and the subs 135, 136 into the well bore.

The hydrostatic head of uid is now effective to exert an upward force on the large pistons 118 and rods 119 and upon the slip ring 26, shearing the screw or screws 78 securing the slip ring to the retainer ring 77 and elevating the slip ring 26 and the slips 50 along the tubular body 10 and the ratchet sleeve 58 as permitted by the freedom of the split lock ring 81 to ratchet upwardly over the sleeve ratchet teeth 79. The slip ring moves the slips 50 upwardly along the expander 24 and shifts them outwardly against the wall of the well casing B. Upon upward movement of the slip ring 26 along the ratchet sleeve 58 by a short distance, the slip ring moves out of confiining relation to the split lock ring 85, allowing the latter to expand outwardly and freeing the ratchet sleeve 58 and second body member 11 from the retainer ring 77, allowing the hydraulic housing 28 to be moved downwardly by the hydrostatic head of fluid, which will carry the upper retainer 63, ratchet sleeve retainer 72, ratchet sleeve 58 and second body member 11 downwardly with it. Prior to freeing of the split lock ring 85 from its groove 84, any downward force imposed by the hydraulic housing 28 through the split lock ring 85 on the retainer ring 77 will have very little effect on the shear ring 92 attached to the first body member 10 since it will merely pass through the support ring 88 and lock ring 89 to the body 10.

The downward movement of` the hydraulic housing 28, ratchet sleeve 58, and second body member 10 under the action of the hydrostatic head of fluid is transmitted to the receptacle or body 12, the upper connector 32, upper insert 33, and upper gauge ring 34, shifting these parts downwardly toward the expander 24 and shortening the packing structure 23, causing the packing elements 39 to be expanded outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B. During such downward movement, the ratchet sleeve 58 can ratchet downwardly freely through the split lock ring 81 mounted in the slip ring 26, the downward movement and force being exerted on the expander 24 and wedging the latter within the slips 50 to embed their wickets or teeth 51 in the wall of the well casing. During the downward movement of the parts referred to in expanding the packing structure 23 and embedding the slips 50 in the well casing, the packing assembly 23, expander 24, second body 11, ratchet sleeve 58, ratchet sleeve retainer 72, and the hydraulic housing 28, and parts associated therewith, move downwardly relative to and along the first tubular body 10, the ratchet sleeve retainer 72 being shifted downwardly from encompassing relation to the lock ring 89 and allowing the latter to expand outwardly from the body groove 90. The parts are now in the relative position illustrated in FIGS. a, 5b and 10. When in this position, it will be noted that the one-way lock device 79 to 83 has effectively coupled the second tubular body 11 to the slip ring 26 and, therefore, retains the upper receptacle 12 in a fixed position relative to the slip ring 26, preventing separation between the two. Thus, the packing assembly 23 and slips 50 are held or locked in their expanded conditions against the wall of the well casing.

The hydrostatic head of fluid is constantly acting on the pistons 117 and lower cylinder heads 101 to urge the slip ring 26 upwardly and the receptacle or body 12 downwardly to hold the packer anchored in packed-off condition in the Well casing. In the event the packing elements 39 tend to extrude through adjacent clearance spaces, such extrusion will not effect any loosening of the well packer since the constantly applied hydrostatic head of fluid will immediately move the receptacle and slip ring toward each other to take up any slack that might tend to occur and retain the packing structure and slips firmly engaged with the well casin-g. Even if the hydrostatic head of fluid were to be dissipated completely in the well casing, the well packer would remain anchored in packed-off condition therewithin since the ,one-way lock devices 79 to 83 will positively hold the tool in its set condition.

The tool can be released and withdrawn from the well casing without the necessity for equalizing pressures on the high and low pressure sides of the pistons 117 merely as a result of taking an upwardly directed strain on the first tubul-ar string C and first body member 10. Such upward pull will exert a force upon the shear ring 92,

rubber bumper 98, retainer ring 77, lock ring and the slip ring 26, which, however, is prevented from moving upwardly by virtue of the wedging action of its companion slips 50 upon the expander 24, and the embedding of the slip teeth 51 in the Wall of the well casing. When a sufficient upward force is taken on the rst tubing string C and rst tubular body 10, the she-ar ring is disrupted at its flange 93, allowing the first body 10 to move upwardly through the remainderfof the well packer, the pick-up ring 161 moving upwardly within the housing counterbore and through the upper retainer 63 into engagement with the lower end of the ratchet sleeve retainer 72. Exertion of a sufiicientforce thereon will disrupt the shear screws 76 and will-allow continued upward movement of the first tubular body 10 to elevate the ratchet sleeve retainer 72 along the ratchet sleeve 58 to remove the retainer from encompassing rel-ation to the sleeve dogs 68. The ratchet sleeve retainer 72 will move upwardly until it is brought into engagement with the lower lock ring 89, whereupon the tapered side of the first body groove 163 will expand the split lock ring 161 outwardly from the groove and thereby permit the first body member 10 to continue its upward movement within the remainder of the packer apparatus until the C-ring 15 engages the receptacle shoulder 18. This C-ring can move from its initial position below the seal 19 to a position thereabove by shearing through such seal.

When the C-ring 15 engages the receptacle shoulder 18, continued upward movement of the first tubular string C and the first body 10 will elevate the receptacle or head 12 and the second tubular body 11. This second tubular body can move upwardly through the ratchet sleeve 58 as a result of the tapered teeth 66, 67 camming the dogs 68 out of mesh therewith. As the second tubular body 11, and the receptacle 12, upper connector 32, upper insert 33 and gauge ring 34 move upwardly away from the expander 24, the packing assembly 23 inherently retracts to its initial position. Following such retraction, the split ring 46 on the second body will engage the lower insert 41 and elevate the expander 24 relative to the slip ring 26, pulling the slips 50 back to their initial retracted position. The first body 10 will move upwardly until its sub 29 engages the lower housing retainer 102, resulting in upward movement of the entire well packer apparatus below the slip ring with the first body member (FIGS. 6a, 6b). Continued elevation of the first tubular string C, usually preceded byremoval of the second tubular string D from the well casing, will elevate the released Well packer A in the well casing B to the top of the well bore. Following releaseof the well packer, the hydrostatic head of fluid will shift the pistons 117 upwardly in the cylinders to their fullest extent, as disclosed in FIG. 1l, which may greatly compress the air trapped on the low pressure sides 123 of the pistons. However, during elevation of the releasedwell packer through the fluid in the well casing, the hydrostatic head of fluid decreases, and as the top of the well bore fluid is approached, the compressed air can reexpand to shift the pistons 117 back downwardly so that the entrapped air is `again at substantially atmospheric pressure. Accordingly, the tool can be dismantled later without fear of suddenly releasing any pressures, since there will be no pressure differentials trapped within any portions of the well packer.

An anchoring device (FIGS. 1, 2) may also be incorporated in the apparatus to preclude its upward shifting in the well casing in the event that high pressure below the apparatus acts thereon. As illustrated, the receptacle or head 12 has a plurality of radial cylinders 190 therein, each of which contains an anchoring piston or member 191 having external teeth 192 adapted to engage the wall of the well casing. Initially, the pistons 191 are held in their retracted position by helical compression springs 193, their inner ends bearing against the pistons 191 and their outer ends against a retainer bar and spring seat 194 extending across longitudinal slots 195 through the external portion of each piston and secured to the body or head by screws 196, or the like.

Fluid under pressure can enter the cylinders 190 from the second head passage 14, passing therefrom through ports 197 to the inner ends of the cylinders When the fluid pressure is suflicient to overcome the force of the retracting springs 193, the pistons 191 are urged in an outward direction and their teeth 192 embedded in the wall of the well casing B. Leakage of fluid around the pistons can be prevented by suitable piston rings 198 slidably and sealingly engaging the cylinder wall.

It is, accordingly, app-arent that a well packer has been provided of the hydrostatic type in which it is unnecessary to prevent well bore fluid from entering the cylinders prior to setting of the packer in the well casing, nor is it necessary to equalize the pressure to effect release of the well packer from the well casing. The two tubular strings C, D and the two tubular bodies 10, 11 connected thereto are locked together prior to setting of the tool through the lock rings 85, 89. Accordingly, if any set down weight is imposed on the tool A prior to its setting, as in connection with the operation of a lower packer or in the event that a tail pipe is attached to the sub 136 which will pull downwardly on the second body member 11 due to its weight, the only effect will be the placing of the first tubular string C in tension above the well packer. When the packer is set, both lock rings 85, 89 are released, which releases the tension in the first tubular string C and produces a snug bearing relation between the shear ring 92 and the slip ring 26 through the intervening sleeve 95, rubber shock absorber 98, retainer ring 77 and upper lock ring 85. Following its setting, the hydraulic or hydrostatic setting force is constantly being `applied in both longitudinal directions, acting upwardly on the slip ring 26 and downwardly on the upper portion of the packing assembly 23, to retain the packing structure 23 and the slips 50 properly set against the well casing. The well packer is locked in its set position so that pressure either from above or below cannot release it. However, despite the mechanical locking of the packer in its set position, it can be released easily whenever desired. It is only necessary to take an upstrain on the first tubular string C and the first body 10 to effect retraction of the packings 39 and slips 50 from the well casing. The fluid pressure differential acting on the well packer iS automatically equalized as the packer is elevated through the liquid in the casing to the top of the well bore.

I claim:

1. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means; normally retracted means on said body means adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with i the wall of the Well bore; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means outwardly and having a high pressure side and an opposite pressure side, said high pressure side having a first fluid pressure actuatable surface and a second fluid pressure actuatable surface, said first and second surfaces being both acted on by fluid pressure to expand said normally retracted means, and said opposite pressure side having a third surface and a fourth fluid pressure actuatable surface, said fourth surface being substantially equal in area to said second surface; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from acting on said third surface, said hydrostatic head of fluid being permitted to act on said fourth surface during expansion of said normally retracted means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on said first surface, whereby the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore acts initially over said second and fourth surfaces; and means for directing the hydrostatic head of fluid to said first surface, whereby said hydraulically operable means expands said normally retracted means.

2. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means; normally retracted means on said body means adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means outwardly and having a high pressure side and an opposite pressure side, said high pressure side having a first fluid pressure actuatable surface and a second fluid pressure actuatable surface, said first and second surfaces being both acted on by fluid pressure to expand said normally retracted means, and said opposite pressure side having a third surface and a fourth fluid pressure actuatable surface, said fourth surface being substantially equal in area to said second surface; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from acting on said third surface, said hydrostatic head of fluid being permitted to act on said fourth surface during expansion of said normally retracted means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on said first surface, Iwhereby the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore acts initially over said second and fourth surfaces; and means for shifting said hydraulically operable means to a position permitting the hydrostatic head'pf fluid to -act upon said first surface, -whereby said hydraulically operable means expands said normally retracted means.

3. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore; body means; normally retracted means on said body means adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means, said large piston portion and small piston portion being slidably sealed in said cylinder means; a rod operatively connected to said piston means and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion, Awhereby the hydrostatic head of fluid acts initially on said small piston portion and rod only; and means for directing the hydrostatic head of fluid to the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby said hydraulically operable means expands said normally retracted means.

4. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means; normally retracted means on said body means adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means, said large piston portion and small piston portion being slidably sealed in said cylinder means; a rod operatively connected to said piston means and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby the hydrostatic head of fluid acts initially on said small piston portion and rod only; and means for shifting said piston means in said cylinder means to expose the high pressure side of said large piston portion to the hydrostatic head of fluid, whereby said hydraulically operable means expands said normally retracted means.

5. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means; normally retracted means on said body means adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston lmeans; a rod operatively connected to said piston rneans and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means initially providing a seal between said small piston portion and cylinder means to prevent the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion; and means for shifting said small piston portion from sealing relation to said cylinder means to permit the hydrostatic head of fluid to act upon the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby said hydraulically operable trneans expands said normally retracted means.

6. In apparatus adapted to -be set in a well bore: Ibody means; normally retracted means on said body means adapted to be expanded outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means; a rod operatively connected to said piston means and extending from said cylindermeans on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means initially providing a seal between said small piston portion and cylinder means to prevent the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressureside of said large piston portion; and means for applying fluid pressure to said small piston portion to shift said piston means in said cylinder means and said small piston portion from sealing relation to said cylinder means to permit the hydrostatic head of fluid to act upon the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby said hydraulically operable means expands said normally retracted means.

7. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular `body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the Well bore comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means, said cylinder means rbeing movable longitudinally along said first body device and operatively connected to said second body device; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means; a rod operatively connected to said piston means and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means, said rod being operatively engageable with said normally retracted means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well rbore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby the hydrostatic head of fluid acts initially on said small piston portion and rod only; and means for directing the hydrostatic head of fluid to the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby said second body device and rod are movable in opposite directions relative to said first `body device to expand said normally retracted means.

8. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; means on said first body device connectible to a first tubular string for lowering the apparatus in the well bore; means operatively connected to said second body device for placing said second body device in communication with a second tubular string lowered in the well -bore after lowering of the apparatus in the well bore on the first tubular string; normally retracted means on said body devices; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means, said cylinder means being movable longitudinally along said first body device and operatively connected to said second body device, said cylinder means comprising a plurality of parallel cylinders, said piston means being operatively engageable with said normally retracted means and comprising a piston structure in each of said cylinders; and means for directing pressure fluid into said cylinder means to shift said piston means in one direction longitudinally of said first body device and said cylinder means and said second `body device in the opposite direction longitudinally of said first 4body device to expand said normally retracted means.

9. In -apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; hydraulically operable means for expanding said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore comprising cylinder means and piston means in said cylinder means; said first body device extending through said cylinder means to a position therebelow and said cylinder means being movable longitudinally along said first body device and operatively connected to said seco-nd body device, said cylinder means comprising a plurality of parallel cylinders; said piston means being operatively engageable with said normally retracted means and comprising a piston structure in each of said cylinders; and means for directing pressure fluid into said cylinder means to shift said piston means in one direction longitudinally of said first Ibody device and said cylinder means and said second body device in the opposite direction longitudinally of said first body device to expand said normally retracted means.

10. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: an upper head having a plurality of longitudinal passages; a first tubular body member extending through one of said passages; a second tubular body member secured to said head in communication with another of said passages; packing means on said body members below said head; an expander on said body members below said packing means; slip means engageable with said expander; hydraulically operable cylinder means slidable on said first body member, said first body member extending below said cylinder means; hydraulically operable piston means in said cylinder means; one of said hydraulically operable means being operatively connected to ,said slip means to move said slip means relatively upwardly of said expander and laterally outwardly againstthe wall of the well bore; the other of said hydraulically operable means being operatively connected to said second body member to move said head downwardly along said first body member and toward said expander and expand said packing means outwardly against the wall of the well bore; and means for directing pressure fluid into said cylinder means to shift said cylinder means and piston means in opposite directions; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means, a rod operatively connected to `said piston means and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means, said rod being operatively engageable with said slip means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure said said piston means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby the hydrostatic head of fluid acts initially on said small piston portion and rod only; and means for directing the hydrostatic head of fluid to the high pressure side of said l large piston portion when said piston means is to be moved upwardly in said cylinder means and said cylinder means downwardly along said first body member.

11. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: an upper head having a plurality of longitudinal passages; a first tubular body member extending through one of said passages; a second tubular body member secured to said head in communication with another of said passages; packing means on said body members below said head; an expander on said body members below said packing means; slip means engageable with said expander; cylinder means slidable on said first body member and operatively connected to said second body member to move said head downwardly along said first body member and toward said expander to expand said packing means outwardly against the wall of the well bore; piston means operatively connected to said slip means to move said slip means relatively upwardly of said expander and laterally outwardly against the wall of the well bore; and means for directing pressure fluid to said cylinder means to shift said piston means upwardly in said cylinder means and said cylinder means downwardly along said first body member; said piston means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means, a rod operatively connected to said piston means and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means, said rod being operatively engageable with said slip means; means `for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fiuid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby the hydrostatic head of fluid acts initially on said small piston portion and rod only; and means for directing the hydrostatic head of fluid to the high -pressure side of said large piston portion when said piston means is to be moved upwardly in said cylinder means and said cylinder means downwardly along said first body member.

12. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; means for moving said first body device in one direction to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the Well bore;

lock means releasably secured to said first body device `tor locking said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition, said lock means comprising a member on said first body device and a companion member shiftable lateral-ly from engagement with said first-mentioned member; and means for releasing said companion member of said lock means to permit lateral shifting of said companion member from the member of said first body device and movement of said first body device in the opposite direction to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

13. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said -body devices; means for moving said first body device in one direction to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; lock means for locking said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition, said lock means com- 4prising a member on said first body device and a companion member shiftable laterally from engagement with said first-mentioned member; means releasably retaining said companion member of said lock means secured to said member of said first body device; and means operated by said second body device for releasing said releasing means to permit movement of said first body device in the opposite direction to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

14. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said bodydevices; first actuating means on said first body device engageable with a portion of said normally retracted means; second actuating means engageable with another portion of said normally retracted means; means yfor moving said first body device and said first actuating means in one direction relative to said second actuating means to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; means for locking said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition including means for releasably locking said first body device to said second actuating means, said locking means comprising a member on said first body device and a companion member shiftable laterally from engagement with said first-mentioned member; and means for releasing said companion member of said locking means from the member of said first body device to permit movement of said first body device and first actuating means in the opposite direction relative to said second actuating means to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

15. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on Said body devices; first actuating means on said first body device engageable with a portion of said normally retracted means; second actuating means engageable with another portion of said normally retracted means; means for moving said first body device and said first actuating means in one direction relative to said second actuating means to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; lock means releasably secured to said first body device and second actuating means for locking said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition; and means on and responsive to movement of said second body device for releasing said lock means from said rst body device to permit movement of said first body device and first actuating means in the opposite direction relative to said second actuating means to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

16. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; first actuating means on said first body device engageable with a portion of said normally retracted means; second actuating means engageable with another portion of said normally retracted means; means for moving said first body device and said first actuating means in one direction relative to said second actuating means to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; a lock member on said first body device; means releasably securing said lock member to said first body device; shiftable means retaining said lock member secured to said first body device; means releasably securing said lock member to said second actuating means to lock said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition; and means for shifting said shiftable means to permit release of said first body device from said lock member and movement of said first body device and first actuating means in the opposite direction relative to said second actuating means to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

17. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; first actuating means on said first body device engageable with a portion of said normally retracted means; second actuating means engageable with another portion of said normally retracted means; means for moving said first body device and said first actuating means in one direction relative to said second actuating means to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; a lock member on said first body device; means releasably securing said lock member to said first body device; shiftable means retaining said lock member secured to said'rst body device; means releasably securing said lock member to said second actuating means to lock said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition; and means on and responsive to movement of said second body device for shifting said shiftable means to permit release of said first body device from said lock member and movement of said tirst body device and first actuating means in the opposite direction relative to said second actuating means to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

18. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: an upper head having a plurality of longitudinal passages; a first tubular body member extending through one of said passages; a second tubular body member secured to said head in communication with another of said passages; packing means on said body members below said head; an expander on said body member below said packing means; slip means engageable with said expander; a lock member on said second body member; means releasably securing said lock member to said second body member; shiftable means retaining said lock member secured to said second body member; means for moving said lock member, second body member and head relatively downwardly of said slip means to expand said slip means and packing means outwardly against the wall of the well bore; means releasably securing said lock member to said slip means to lock said packing means and slip means in their outwardly expanded conditions; means on and responsive to upward movement of said first body member for shifting said shiftable means to permit release of said second body member from said lock member; and means on said first body member engageable with said head to elevate said head and second body member relative to said slip means to allow retraction of said packing means and said slip means.

19. In apparatus adapted to be slet in a well bore: an upper head having a plurality of longitudinal passages; a first tubular body member extending through one of said passages; a second tubular body member secured to said head in communication with another of said passages; packing means on said body members below said head; an expander on said body member below said packing means; slip means engageable with said expander; a lock member on said second body member; means releasably securing said lock member to said second Ibody member; shiftable means retaining said lock member secured to said second body member; hydraulically operable cylinder means on one of said body members; hydraulically operable piston means in said cylinder means and extending therefrom; means operatively connecting one of said hydraulically operable means to said slip means; means operatively connecting the other of said hydraulically operable means to said lock member; means for directing pressure fluid to said cylinder means to shift said cylinder means and piston means in opposite directions and thereby expand said slip means and packing means outwardly against the wall of the well bore; means releasably securing said lock member to said slip means to lock said packing means and slip means in their outwardly expanded conditions; means on and responsive to upward movement of said rst body member for shifting said shiftable means to permit release of said second body member from said lock member; and means on said first body member engageable with said head to elevate said head and second body member relative to said slip means to allow retraction of said packing means and said slip means. p

20. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: an upper head having a plurality of longitudinal passages; a first tubular body member extending through one of said passages; a second tubular body member secured to said head in communication with another of said passages; packing means on said body members below said head;

an expander on said body member below said packing means; slip means engageable with said expander; a lock member on said second body member; means releasably securing said lock member to said second body member; shiftable means retaining said lock member secured to said second body member; cylinder means on and movable longitudinally of said first body member and operatively connected to said lock member; piston means in said cylinder means and operatively engageable with said slip means; means for directing pressure fluid to said cylinder means to shift said cylinder means and piston means in opposite directions and thereby expand said slip means and packing means outwardly against the Wall of the well bore; means releasably securing said lock member to said slip means to lock said packing means and slip means in their outwardly expanded conditions; means on and responsive to upward movement of said first body member for shifting said shiftable means to permit release of said second body member from said lock member; and means on said first body member engageable with said head to elevate said head and second body member relative to said slip means to allow retraction of said packing means and said slip means.

21. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: an upper head having a plurality of longitudinal passages; a first tubular body member extending through one of said passages; a second tubular lbody member secured to said head in communication with another of said passages; packing means on said body members below said head; an expander on said body member below said packing means; slip means engageable with said expander; a lock member on said second body member; means releasably securing said lock member to said second body member; shiftable means retaining said lock member secured to said second body member; hydraulically operable cylinder means on one of said body members; hydraulically operable piston means in said cylinder means including a large piston portion and a small piston portion on the high pressure side of said piston means; a rod operatively connected to said piston means and extending from said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means operatively connecting said cylinder means to said lock member; said rod being operatively engageable Awith said slip means; means for preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid in the well bore from entering said cylinder means on the low pressure side of said piston means; means for initially preventing the hydrostatic head of fluid from acting on the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby the hydrostatic head of fluid acts initially on said small piston portion and rod only; means for directing the hydrostatic head of fluid to the high pressure side of said large piston portion, whereby said lock member, second body member and head are moved in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said rod and slip means to expand said packing means and slip means outwardly against the wall of the well bore; means releasably securing said lock member to said slip means to lock said packing means and slip means in their outwardly expanded conditions; means on and responsive to upward movement of said first body member for shifting said shiftable means to permit release of said second body member from said lock member; and means on said first body member engageable with said head to elevate said head and second body member relative to said slip means to allow retraction of said packing means and said slip means.

22. In apparatus adapted to be set in a. well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular Ibody devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; means for expanding said normally re tracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore including means for longitudinally shifting said tubular body devices relative to each other; means for locking said expanding means to retain said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition;

19 and means for releasing said locking means to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

23. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; means for moving said first body device in one longitudinal direction relative to said second tubular body device to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; lock means releasably secured to said iirst body device for locking said first body device to said normally retracted means to retain said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition; and means for releasing said lock means from said first body device to permit movement of said iirst body device in the opposite direction to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

24. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising irst and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; means for moving said first body device in one longitudinal direction relative to said second tubular body device to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; lock means for locking said first body device to said normally retracted means to retain said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition; means releasably securing said lock means to said first =body device; and means operated by said second body device for releasing said securing means to permit movement of said first body device in the opposite direction to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

25. In apparatus adapted to be set in a well bore: body means comprising first and second tubular body devices in side-by-side relation; normally retracted means on said body devices; rst actuating means on said first body device engageable with a portion of said normally retracted means; second actuating means engageable with another portion of said normally retracted means; means for moving said first body device and said first actuating means in one direction relative to said second tubular body device and second actuating means to expand said normally retracted means outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore; means for locking said normally retracted means in its outwardly expanded condition including means for releasably locking said first body device to said second actuating means; and means for releasing said locking means from said first body device to permit movement of said first body device and first actuating means in the opposite direction relative to said second actuating means to allow retraction of said normally retracted means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,138,207 6/1964 Peppers 166--187 X 3,167,127 1/1965 Sizer 166-120 3,180,419 4/1965 Cochran et al 166-120 3,191,682 6/1965 Cochran 166-120 3,211,226 10/1965 Myers et al 166-120 3,220,480 11/1965 Myers 166-120 X 3,239,009 3/1966 Leuteoyler 166-120 3,098,524 7/ 1963 Brown 166-120 X CHARLES E. OCONNELL, Primary Examiner.

I. A. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner. 

